NERC-LV-539-28
SOIL SURVEYS OF FIVE PLUTONIUM CONTAMINATED
AREAS ON THE TEST RANGE COMPLEX IN NEVADA
Monitoring Systems
National
lopment Laborator^
h Center
udit performed under_a
nJlrstan
immission
-------
NOTICE
This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored
by the United States Government. Neither the United States
nor the United States Atomic Energy Commission, nor any
of their employees, nor any of their contractors, subcon-
tractors, or their employees, makes any warranty, express
or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility
for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any infor-
mation, apparatus, product or process disclosed, or repre-
sents that its use would not infringe privately-owned rights.
AVAILABLE FROM THE NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
SPRINGFIELD, VA 22151
PRICE: PAPER COPY $5.45 MICROFICHE $1.45
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NERC-LV-539-28
SOIL SURVEYS OF FIVE PLUTONIUM CONTAMINATED
AREAS ON THE TEST RANGE COMPLEX IN NEVADA
by
Verr D. Leavitt
Monitoring Systems Research and Development Laboratory
National Environmental Research Center
U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Las Vegas, NV 89114
March 1974
This study performed under a Memorandum of
Understanding No. AT(26-l)-539
for the
U. S. Atomic Energy Commission
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ABSTRACT
This report describes soils in five areas located on the Test Range
Complex, Nye County, Nevada. All of the areas have at one time been sites
of above-ground nuclear safety tests. The areas are contaminated with
plutonium and are, therefore, the object of investigations regarding the
movement of plutonium in the environment. Most of the surface soils in
the five areas have a gravelly texture and are typically classified as
gravelly sandy loam.. The majority of the surveyed land is either flood-
plain or alluvial fan with deep soils having well-developed profiles and
platy structure. All of the soils are alkaline ranging in pH from 7.0
to 9.0.
The vegetation is classified in two general categories, low and
high desert shrub. The low desert shrubs are predominantly creosote-
bush (Larrea divaricate.), and white bursage (Franseria dumosa). The
high desert shrubs are mostly fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens),
winterfat (Eurotia lanata)t and bud sagebrush (Artemisia spinescens).
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ABSTRACT i
LIST OF FIGURE AND TABLES 111
I. INTRODUCTION 1
II. METHODS 3
III. SOIL PROFILE DESCRIPTIONS 5
Test Range Complex
Clean Slate #1, #2, and #3 6
Double Track 26
Area 5 - GMX 31
Area 11 - Plutonium Valley 36
Area 13 49
IV. CAPABILITY GROUPS OF SOILS 55
V. CAPABILITY UNITS 56
REFERENCES 60
APPENDICES 68
DISTRIBUTION
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LIST OF FIGURE AND TABLES
Page
Figure 1. The Areas Surveyed for Report 2
Table I. Soil Legends and Capability Units for Clean Slate 61
#1, #2, and #3, and Double Track
Table II. Soil Legends and Capability Units for Area 5, GMX 62
Table III. Soil Legends and Capability Units for Area 11,
Plutonium Valley 63
Table IV. Soil Legends and Capability Units for Area 13 64
Table V. List of Scientific and Common Names of the
Vegetation on the Survey Areas. 65
Table VI. Summary of Dominant Factors of the Five Areas 67
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c
NERC-LV-539-28
SOIL SURVEYS OF FIVE PLUTONIUM CONTAMINATED
AREAS ON THE TEST RANGE COMPLEX IN NEVADA
Mbnitoring Systems/research and Development Laborator^
National/Environmental Research Center
U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL
Las Veias
TECTION AGENCY
89114 \
ud,$ performed under a
U. S. Atomic fene
mm ssi on
-------
NOTICE
This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored
by the United States Government. Neither the United States
nor the United States Atomic Energy Commission, nor any
of their employees, nor any of their contractors, subcon-
tractors, or their employees, makes any warranty, express
or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility
for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any infor-
mation, apparatus, product or process disclosed, or repre-
sents that its use would not infringe privately-owned rights.
AVAILABLE FROM THE NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
SPRINGFIELD, VA 22151
PRICE: PAPER COPY $5.45 MICROFICHE $1.45
-------
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I. INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the soil survey report was to gather information on
the soil and the vegetation of Clean Slate #1, #2, and #3, Double Track,
Area 5 GMX, Area 11 Plutonium Valley, and Area 13 on the Test Range
*
Complex.
This was done in conjunction with the Nevada Applied Ecology Group
Plutonium Study. The areas surveyed are in the south-central and
eastern parts of Nye County in southern Nevada (Fig. 1). These areas
are semi arid with annual precipitation ranging from 4 to 8 inches^ .
All of the areas are on range that provides only limited grazing for
livestock, but approximately half of the acreage is potential
agricultural land if water were available.
On the uplands the soils are shallow, moderately coarse or medium
textured, and gravelly, cobbly, or stony. On the lowlands the soils
are very deep and coarse textured.
All of the areas have at one time been sites of above ground-nuclear
safety tests. The areas are contaminated with plutonium and are,
therefore, the object of investigations regarding the movement of plutonium
in the environment.
Mapping of the physical properties of the soil will be used to guide
and supplement research on movement of plutonium through the soil and
the uptake of plutonium by plants.
*Test Range Complex includes the Tonopah Test Range, NRDS, Nevada Test
Site, and Nell is Air Force Range.
1
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DUCKWATER
CURRANT MAINT. STA:
CURRANT
ROUND MTN.
MAINT. STA.
BLUE JAY
MAINT. STA.
SUNNYSIDE
(
TONOPAH
TEMPIUTE/
HIKO
GOLDFIELD
HANCOCK SMT. >](
COTTY'S JCT.
NELLIS
AIR FORCE
RANGE
SPRINGDALE
ROP WELLS
INDIAN SPRINGS
CACTUS SPRINGS
FURNACE
CREEK
DEATH
VALLEY JCT.
PAHRUMP
LAS VEGAS
SHOSHONE
INDICATES AREAS SURVEYED
FOR S~OIL REPORT
J
RIDGECREST
Figure 1. The Areas Surveyed for Report
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II. METHODS
2
In each soil type one soil pit approximately 1 m was dug to a depth •
which confirmed the C horizon continuity (generally 1 m deep). At the
site of these pits, soil profiles were determined by visual inspection.
Confirmation of soil types was made by digging auger holes or shallow
pits approximately every 100 meters. Soil order designations were made
(2)
according to the descriptions published by the Soil Conservation Servicev '.
Soil colors were determined by comparison with the Munsell Soil Color
Chart^ . Color is based on a combination of hue, value and chroma.
Hue is the dominant spectral color. Value refers to the relative
lightness of color and is a function of the total amount of reflected
light. Chroma (sometimes called saturation) is the relative purity or
strength of the spectral color and increases with decreasing grayness.
Colors are for air-dry soil unless otherwise noted.
In using the color chart, accurate comparison is obtained by holding
the soil sample above the color chips being compared.
Soil texture (particle size) was determined by feeling the soil.
This determination depends on the accuracy and experience of the
observer.
Soil structure (the aggregation of primary soil particles into
compound particles) was described according to the criteria of the
U. S. Soil Conservation Service^.
The pH was determined by using indicator dyes^ '. Cresol red was
used between pH 7.2 and 8.8, thymol blue between pH 8.0 and 9.6.
3
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Effervescence (an indication of the occurrence of certain salts in
crystalline form) was determined by adding a few drops of 0.1 N HC1 to
the soil. Slight, strong, and violent effervescent reactions relate
to the relative concentrations of carbonates of calcium, magnesium, and
sodiunr '.
Crude density is generally defined as the number (or biomass) per
unit total space (6). However, the crude plant density referred to in
this report defines that portion of the study area canopied by vegetation
and appears to be more responsive to survey objectives. Line-of-sight
transects and subsequent canopy approximations were randomly checked
with actual measurements in each of the five plutonium contaminated soil
areas.
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HI. SOIL PROFILE DESCRIPTIONS
A numerical system was used to designate each profile. These numbers
correspond to areas delineated on aerial photographs in Appendix II. The
numerical system is as follows.
LOCATION SOIL PROFILE NUMBER
Test Range Complex Clean Slate #1 - 101, 102, and 103
Clean Slate #2 - 104, 105, 106, and 107
Clean Slate #3 - 108, 109, and 110
Double Track - 111, 112, and 113
Area 5 - GMX - 201, 202, and 203
Area 11 - Plutonium Valley - 301, 302,
303, 304, 305, 306, 307, and 308
Area 13-401, 402, 403, 404, and 405
Many terms used in the soil description and other sections are
defined in the Glossary (see Appendix). The dominant factors of the
five areas are summarized in Table VI.
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CLEAN SLATE #1
Profile #101
This soil is of the Aridisol Order.
Typifying Pedon; gravelly sandy loam.
Al 0-20 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) gravelly sandy loam; very dark
grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; weak fine subangular
blocky structure; soft, friable, nonsticky, non-
i
plastic; noneffervescent, mildly alkaline (pH 7.6).
A2 20 - 30 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) loam, brown (10YR 4/3) moist;
strong thick platy structure; slightly hard, friable,
slightly sticky, slightly plastic; many fine and
medium vesicular and tubular pores; violently effer-
vescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.0).
B2 30 - 45 cm -Yellowish red (SYR 4/5) clay loam; reddish brown
(5YR 4/4 ) moist; coarse medium subangular blocky
structure; slightly hard, friable, sticky, plastic;
slightly effervescent, mildly alkaline (pH 7.8).
B3 45 - 60 cm -Reddish brown (5YR 5/4) gravelly sandy loam; reddish
brown (5YR 4/4) moist; coarse fine subangular blocky
structure; soft, friable, slightly sticky, slightly
plastic; slightly effervescent, mildly alkaline
(pH 7.6).
Cl 60 - 102+ cm -Light reddish brown (5YR 6/4) gravelly sand, reddish
brown (5YR 4/4) moist; single grain, loose dry and
moist, nonsticky, nonplastic; slightly effervescent;
mildly alkaline (pH 7.8).
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The #101 soil is located on level, or nearly level, alluvial fans and
floodplains with slope gradients of 0 to 2 percent. The soil is mapped
as a complex with #102 soil. Both soils are formed in alluvium from
rhyolite, quartzite, limestone and tuff. This soil is moderately
well-drained with slow runoff and slow permeability (0.05 to 2.0 inches
per hour). Moderate wind and slight water erosion is evident. The
primary vegetation consists of fourwing saltbush, galleta grass, bud
sagebrush, and annuals. The total plant density is 10 percent. This
soil supports good winter and spring grazing for livestock and wildlife.
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CLEAN SLATE #1
Profile #102
This soil is of the Aridisol Order.
Typifying Pedon: loam wasteland.
A2 0-10 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) loam, brown (10YR 4/3) moist;
strong thick platy structure; slightly hard, friable,
slightly sticky, slightly plastic; many fine and
medium vesicular and tubular pores; violently
effervescent; moderately alkaline (pH 8.0).
B2 10 - 30 cm -Yellowish red (5YR 4/5) clay loam, reddish brown
(SYR 4/4) moist; coarse medium subangular blocky
structure; slightly hard, friable, sticky plastic;
slightly effervescent, mildly alkaline (pH 7.8).
B3 30 - 61 cm -Reddish brown (5YR 5/4) gravelly sandy loam reddish
brown (5YR 4/4) moist; coarse fine subangular blocky
structure; soft, friable, slightly sticky, slightly
plastic; slightly effervescent, mildly alkaline
(pH 7.6).
Cl 61 - 102 cm -Light reddish brown (5YR 6/4) gravelly sand, reddish
brown (5YR 4/4) moist; single-grain, loose dry and
moist; nonsticky, nonplastic; slightly effervescent,
mildly alkaline (pH 7.8).
The #102 soil is on level playa, bare of vegetation and has a high
salt content. This soil is moderately well-drained with rapid runoff,
8
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and very slow permeability (0.05 to 2.0 inches per hour). Slight water
erosion is evident. Because of the high salt content, no vegetation
will grow on this soil.
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CLEAN SLATE #1
Profile #103
This soil is of the Aridisol Order.
Typifying Pedon: gravelly sandy loam.
A2 0-10 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) dry, gravelly sandy loam, brown
(10YR 4/3) moist; strong thick platy structure;
slightly hard, friable; slightly sticky, slightly
plastic; many fine and medium vesicular pores; strongl.y
effervescent, mildly alkaline (pH 7.8).
B2 10 - 30 cm -Reddish brown (5YR 4/3) clay loam, moderate, medium
subangular blocky structure; slightly hard, friable,
sticky, plastic; slightly effervescent, moderately
alkaline (pH 8.0).
B3 30 - 60 cm -Reddish brown (SYR 4/3) sandy loam, weak fine sub-
angular blocky structure, soft, friable, nonsticky,
nonplastic; slightly effervescent, moderately
alkaline (pH 8.2).
Cl 60 - 102 cm -Reddish brown (SYR 4/4) gravelly sandy loam, weak
fine subangular blocky structure; soft, friable,
nonsticky, nonplastic; strongly effervescent,
moderately alkaline (pH 8.0).
The #103 soil is principally on the toe of alluvial fans and on
floodplains with slope gradients of 0 to 4 percent. The soil is formed
in residuum, primarily from rhyolite, quartzite, limestone and tuffs.
The soil is well-drained, with medium runoff and moderate permeability
10
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(0.80 to 2.50 inches per hour). Moderate wind and slight water erosion
is evident. The principal vegetation is galleta grass, fourwfng saltbush,
and bud sagebrush. The total plant density is 20 percent. This soil
supports good winter grazing for livestock and wildlife.
11
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CLEAN SLATE #2
Profile #104
This soil is of the Aridisol Order.
Typifying Pedon: gravelly sandy loam.
A2 0 - 8 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) dry, gravelly sandy loam, brown
: (10YR 4/3) moderate thick platy structure; slightly
hard, friable, slightly sticky, slightly elastic;
many fine and medium vesicular pores; strongly effer-
vescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.0).
B2 8-33 cm -Reddish brown (5YR 4/4) sandy cla.y loam, moderate
medium subangular blocky structure; slightly hard,
friable, sticky, plastic; slightly effervescent,
mildly alkaline (pH 7.8).
B3ca 33 - 71 cm -Reddish brown (SYR 4/3) gravelly sand, single-grain
loose, nonsticky, nonplastic, high in lime, violently
effervescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.2).
Cl 71 - 102+ cm -Reddish brown (5YR 4/4) gravelly loamy sand, single-
grain, soft, friable, nonsticky, nonplastic, strongly
effervescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.4).
The #104 soil occurs on old alluvial fans and floodplains with slope
gradients of 1 to 4 percent. The soil is formed in residuum, weathered
from rhyolite, quartzite, limestone and tuffs. The surface is dissected
by few shallow channels. The soil is well-drained with medium runoff,
and moderate permeability (0.80 to 2.50 inches per hour). Moderate
wind and slight water erosion is evident. The predominant vegetation
12
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is galleta grass, fourwing saltbush, winterfat, bud sagebrush, and Indian
ricegrass. The total plant density is approximately 20 percent. This
soil supports good winter grazing for livestock and wildlife.
13
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CLEAN SLATE # 2
Profile #105
This soil is of the Aridisol Order.
Typifying Pedon: gravelly sandy loam.
Al 0-13 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) dry, gravelly sandy loam, very
dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2), strong medium platy
structure; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky,
slightly plastic; slightly efferverscent, moderately
alkaline (pH 8.0).
Bll 13 - 38 cm -Reddish brown (5YR 4/4) sandy clay loam, moderate
medium subangular blocky structure; soft, friable,
sticky, plastic; slightly effervescent, mildly
alkaline (pH 7.6).
B12 38 - 76 cm -Reddish brown (SYR 4/4) sandy loam, weak fine sub-
angular blocky structure; soft, friable, slightly
sticky, slightly plastic; violently effervescent,
mildly alkaline (pH 7.8).
Cl 76 - 102 cm -Reddish brown (5YR 4/3) sandy loam, weak fine sub-
angular blocky structure; soft, friable, nonsticky,
nonplasticj violently effervescent, mildly alkaline
(pH 7.8).
C2 102 - 127 cm Reddish brown (5YR 4/4) sandy loam, weak fine sub-
angular blocky structure; soft, very friable, non-
sticky, nonplastic; violently effervescent,
moderately alkaline (pH 8.0).
14
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The #105 soil occurs on alluvial fans and low drainage-ways with slope
gradients of 0 to 2 percent. The soil is formed in residuum, weathered
from rhyolite, quartzite, limestone and tuff. The soil is well-drained
with medium runoff and moderately rapid permeability (2.50 to 5.00 inches
per hour). Slight wind and water erosion is evident. The principal
vegetation is cattle saltbush, winterfat, bud sagebrush, bottlebrush
squirreltail, fourwing saltbush, Indian ricegrass, and galleta grass.
The total plant density is approximately 15 percent. This soil supports
good winter grazing for livestock and wildlife.
15
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CLEAN SLATE #2
Profile #106
This soil is of the Aridisol Order.
Typifying Pedon: sandy loam.
Al 0-10 cm -Pale brown (10YR 6/3) sandy loam, very dark grayish
brown (10YR 3/2) moist; strong thick platy structure;
slightly hard, friable, nonsticky, nonnlastic;
slightly effervescent, neutral (pH 7.0).
Bl 10 - 38 cm -Light reddish brown (SYR 6/3) sandy clay loam,
reddish brown (SYR 4/3) moist; moderate medium
subangular blocky structure; slightly hard, friable,
sticky, plastic; slightly effervescent, neutral
(pH 7.2).
Cl 38 - 76 cm -Pink (SYR 7/3) loam, reddish brown (SYR 4/3) moist;
moderate medium subangular blocky structure; soft,
friable, slightly sticky, slightly plastic; strongly
effervescent, mildly alkaline (pH 7.4).
C2 76 - 102 cm -Pinkish gray (SYR 6/2) gravelly sandy loam, reddish
brown (SYR 4/3) moist; weak fine subanaular blocky
structure; soft, friable, nonsticky, nonplastic;
strongly effervescent, mildly alkaline (pH 7.4).
C3 102 - 152+ cm-Light reddish brown (SYR 6/3) gravelly loamy sand,
reddish brown (SYR 4/3) moist; single grain; loose
dry and moist; nonsticky, nonplastic; slightly
effervescent, mildly alkaline (pH 7.4).
16
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The #106 soil is on smooth nearly level floodplains and low stream
terraces with slope gradients of 0 to 2 percent. The soil is formed
in loamy alluvial and eolian materials from mixed rock sources such
as rhyolite, quartzite, limestone and tuffs. The soil is well-drained,
with slow runoff, and moderate permeability (0.80 to 2.50 inches per
hour). Moderate wind and water erosion is evident. The vegetation is
principally fourwing saltbush, cattle saltbush, big sagebrush, winterfat,
bud sagebrush, and Indian ricegrass. The total plant density is about
20 percent. This soil supports good winter grazing for livestock and
wildlife.
17
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CLEAN SLATE #2
Profile #107
This soil is of the Aridisol Order.
Typifying Pedon: gravelly sandy loam.
A2 0 - 10 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) gravelly sandy loam, brown
(10YR 4/3) moist; strong thick p.lat.y structures;
slightly hard, friable, nonsticky, nonplastic;
many fine and medium vesicular pores; slightly
effervescent, mildly alkaline (pH 7.6).
B21 10 - 30 cm -Reddish brown (5YR 5/4) clay loam, reddish brown
(SYR 4/3) moist; moderate medium subangular blocky
structure; hard, friable, sticky, plastic; strongly
effervescent, mildly alkaline (pH 7.6).
B22 30 - 46 cm -Reddish brown (SYR 5/4) gravelly sandy loam, reddish
brown (SYR 4/3) moist; moderate medium subangular
blocky structure; soft, friable, slightly sticky,
slightly plastic; violently effervescent, moderately
alkaline (pH 8.2).
B3 46 - 60 cm -Yellowish red (SYR 5/6) gravelly sandy loam, reddish
brown (SYR 4/4) moist; weak fine subangular blocky
structure; soft, friable, nonsticky, nonplastic;
violently effervescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.2).
Clca 60 - 76 cm -Pinkish gray (5YR 7/2) gravelly loamy sand, reddish
brown (5YR 5/3) moist; weak fine subangular blocky
structure; soft, very friable, nonsticky, nonplastic;
18
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high concentration of lime or silica; violently
effervescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.4).
The #107 soil is on smooth, nearly level to gently sloping floodplains
and low stream terraces with slope gradients of 1 to 4 percent. The soil
is formed in residuum, weathered from rhyolite, quartzite, limestone and
tuffs. The soil is well-drained, with medium runoff and moderate perme-
ability (0.80 to 2.50 inches per hour). Moderate wind and slight water
erosion is evident. The dominant species of vegetation are galleta
grass, bud sagebrush, winterfat, fourwing saltbush, Indian ricegrass, and
globemallow. Total plant density is about 15 percent. This soil is
used for livestock grazing and wildlife.
19
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CLEAN SLATE #3
Profile #108
This soil is of the Aridisol Order.
Typifying Pedon: gravelly sandy loam (colors are for moist soil unless
otherwise noted).
A2 0 - 8 cm -Brown (10YR 4/3) gravelly loam; moderate medium
platy structure; soft, friable, nonsticky, non-
plastic; strongly effervescent, moderately alkaline
(pH 8.2).
Cl 8-30 cm -Brown (10YR 4/3) gravelly sandy loam; weak fine
subangular blocky structure; soft, friable, non-
sticky, nonplastic; strongly effervescent,
moderately alkaline (pH 8.2).
C2 30 - 61 cm -Yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) gravelly sandy loam;
weak fine subangular structure; soft, friable, non-
sticky, nonplastic; strongly effervescent, moderately
alkaline (pH 8.2).
C3sica 61 - 91 cm -Yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) gravelly sandy loam;
massive; very hard, firm, nonsticky, nonplastic;
weakly lime cemented sands with few discontinuous
strongly silica-lime-cemented lenses; violently
effervescent, strongly alkaline (pH 8*8).
C4cm 91+ cm -Yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) gravelly loamy sand,
massive; very hard, firm, nonsticky, nonplastic;
silica-lime coatings on gravel; violently
effervescent, strongly alkaline (pH 8.8).
20
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The #108 soil is on smooth, level, or nearly level, alluvial fans
and floodplains with slope gradients of 0 to 2 percent. Eroded area has
very slight convex ridges and concave swales. The soil is formed in
gravelly loamy alluvium from rhyolite, quartzite, limestone and tuffs.
This soil is well-drained, with slow runoff, and rapid to moderately rapid
permeability (2.50 to 10.00 inches per hour). Slight water and wind
erosion is evident. The principal vegetation consists of fourwing saltbush,
winterfat, bud sagebrush, galleta grass, shadscale, and Indian ricegrass.
The total plant density is 10 percent. This soil is used for livestock
grazing and wildlife.
21
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CLEAN SLATE #3
Profile #109
This soil is of the Aridisol Order.
Typifying Pedon: gravelly sandy loam (colors are for moist soil unless
otherwise noted).
Al 0 - 10 cm -Dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) sandy loam, weak fine
subangular blocky structure; soft, friable, non-
sticky, nonplastic; slightly effervescent*
moderately alkaline (pH 8.0).
Bll 10 - 30 cm -Reddish brown (SYR 4/4) sandy clay loam, moderate
medium subangular blocky structure; soft, friable,
sticky, plastic; strongly effervescent, moderately
alkaline (pH 8.4).
B12 30 - 46 cm -Reddish brown (SYR 5/4) sandy clay loam, weak
medium subangular blocky structure; soft,
friable, sticky, plastic; violently effervescent,
moderately alkaline (pH 8.2).
Clcasi 46 - 61 cm -Reddish brown (SYR 5/4) sandy loam, weak fine
subangular blocky structure; soft, friable, non-
sticky, nonplastic; weakly lime-silica cemented
sands; strongly effervescent, moderately alkaline
(pH 8.2).
C2casi 61 - 91 cm -Reddish brown (SYR 5/4) loamy sand, massive, hard,
friable, nonsticky, nonplastic; weakly lime-silica
cemented sands; strongly effervescent, moderately
alkaline (pH 8.2).
22
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CScasi 91 - 152 cm -Pinkish white (SYR 8/2) dry, loam, light reddish
brown (5YR 6/4) massive; hard, firm, slightly sticky,
slightly plastic; high concentration of lime
lacustrine sediments; violently effervescent,
moderately alkaline (pH 8.2).
The #109 soil is on smooth, level, or nearly level, alluvial fans
and low stream terraces with slope gradients of 0 to 2 percent. The
soil is formed in gravelly 'loamy alluvium from rhyolite, quartzite,
limestone and tuffs. This soil is moderately well-drained, with medium
runoff, and moderately slow permeability (0.20 to 0.80 inches per hour).
Moderate wind and slight water erosion is evident. The principal
vegetation is galleta grass, fourwing saltbush, bud sagebrush, Indian
ricegrass, winterfat, and desert needlegrass. Total plant density is
15 percent. This soil is used for livestock grazing and wildlife.
23
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CLEAN SLATE #3
Profile #110
This soil is of the Aridisol Order.
Typifying Pedon; gravelly loam (colors are for moist soil unless
otherwise noted).
A2 0-10 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) dry, gravelly loam, dark grayish
brown (10YR 4/2); strong thick platy structure;
slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky, slightly
plastic; strongly effervescent, moderately alkaline
(pH 8.2).
B2 10 - 46 cm -Reddish brown (SYR 4/3) clay loam, moderate medium
platy structure; slightly hard, friable, sticky,
plastic; violently effervescent, moderately alkaline
(pH 8.0).
B3 46 - 91 cm -Reddish brown (SYR 4/3) gravelly sandy loam, weak
fine subangular blocky structure; soft, friable,
slightly sticky, slightly plastic; strongly effer-
vescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.4).
Cl 91 cm -Reddish brown (SYR 4/3) gravelly sandy loam, weak
fine subangular blocky structure; soft, friable,
nonsticky, nonplastic; strongly effervescent,
moderately alkaline (pH 8.4).
The #110 soil is on smooth, level to nearly level, alluvial fans
and floodplains with slope gradients of 0 to 2 percent. The soil is
formed in gravelly loamy alluvium from rhyolite, quartzite, limestone
24
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and tuffs. The soil is well-drained, with medium runoff, and moderate
permeability (0.80 to 2.50 inches per hour). Moderate wind and slight
water erosion is evident. The principal vegetation is fourwing saltbush,
galleta grass, winterfat, bud sagebrush, and Indian ricegrass. The
total plant density is 15 percent. This soil is used for livestock
grazing and wildlife.
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DOUBLE TRACK
Profile #111
This soil is on the Entisol Order.
Typifying Pedon; gravelly sandy loam.
Cl 0-30 cm -Pale brown (10YR 6/3) gravelly sandy loam, brown
(10YR 4/3) moist; weak fine subangular blocky
structure; soft, friable, nonsticky, nonplastic;
violently effervescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.4).
C2 30 - 91+ cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) very gravelly loamy sand,
brown (10YR 5/3) moist; single grain; loose dry
and moist, nonsticky, nonplastic; violently
effervescent, strongly alkaline (pH 8.6).
The #111 soil is on smooth, nearly level and gently sloping alluvial
fans with slope gradients of 1 to 4 percent. Eroded area has very slight
convex ridges and concave swales. The soil is formed in gravelly loamy
alluvium from rhyolite, quartzite, limestone, and tuffs. The soil is
somewhat excessively drained, with slow runoff, and rapid permeability
(5.00 to 10.00 inches per hour). Slight water erosion is evident. The
principal vegetation is horsebrush, winterfat, bud sagebrush, wolfberry,
shadscale, Indian ricegrass, and fluffgrass. Total plant density is
15 percent. This soil is used for livestock grazing and wildlife.
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DOUBLE TRACK
Profile #112
This soil is of the Entisol Order.
Typifying Pedon: gravelly sandy loam.
Cl 0-15 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) gravelly sandy loam, brown
(10YR 4/3) moist; weak fine subangular blocky
structure; soft, friable, nonsticky, nonplastic;
violently effervescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.2).
C2 15 - 51 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) gravelly sandy loam, brown
(10YR 4/3) moist; weak fine subangular structure;
soft, friable, nonsticky, nonplastic; violently
effervescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.4).
C3 51 - 114 cm -Pale brown (10YR 6/3) gravelly loamy sand, yellowish
brown (10YR 5/4) moist; single grain; loose dry
and moist, nonsticky, nonplastic; violently effer-
vescent, strongly alkaline (pH 8.6).
C4 114 - 152 cm -White (10YR 8/2) gravelly sandy loam, yellowish
brown (10YR 5/4) moist; weak fine subangular
blocky structure; soft, friable, nonsticky, non-
plastic; violently effervescent, strongly
alkaline (pH 9.0). Lime-silica nodules throughout
this horizon.
The #112 soil is on smooth, nearly level and gently sloping alluvial
fans with slope gradients of 1 to 4 percent. Eroded area has very slight
convex ridges and concave swales. The soil is formed in gravelly loamy
27
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alluvium from rhyolite, quartzite, limestone, and tuffs. This soil
is well-drained, with slow runoff, and moderately rapid to rapid
permeability (2.50 to 10.00 inches per hour). Slight water erosion
is evident. The principal vegetation is shadscale, bud sagebrush,
horsebrush, shockley goldenhead, Indian ricegrass, and fluffgrass.
Total plant density is about 10 percent. This soil is used for
livestock grazing and wildlife.
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DOUBLE TRACK
Profile #113
This soil is of the Aridisol Order.
Typifying Pedon: gravelly loam.
The soil surface is about 90 percent covered with a
weakly developed gravel desert pavement.
A2 0 - 8 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) gravelly loam, brown (10YR 4/3)
moist; strong thick platy structure; soft, friable,
nonsticky, nonplastic; many fine and medium vesicular
pores; violently effervescent, strongly alkaline
(pH 8.8).
B21 8 - 30 cm -Light reddish brown (SYR 6/4) gravelly sandy loam,
reddish brown (SYR 4/3) moist; moderate medium
subangular blocky structure; firm, friable, non-
sticky, nonplastic, violently effervescent,
strongly alkaline (pH 9.0).
B22 30 - 61 cm -Light reddish brown (5YR 6/4) very gravelly sand,
reddish brown (SYR 4/3) moist; single grain; loose
dry and moist, nonsticky, nonplastic; violently
effervescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.4).
Clem 61 cm -Lime-silica hardpan.
The #113 soil is on smooth, gently sloping alluvial fans and low
terraces with slope gradients of 2 to 4 percent. Eroded area has very
slight convex ridges and concave swales. The soil is formed in gravelly
loamy alluvium from mixed rock sources high in lime and siliceous
29
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material. The soil has been influenced somewhat by volcanic ash,
pyroclastic material, and tuff. The soil is well-drained to the
lime-silica hardpan, very slow drainage below the hardpan, with medium
runoff, and moderate permeability to the hardpan and very slow below
the hardpan (0.80 to 2.50 inches per hour to the hardpan and less than
0.05 inches per hour through the hardpan). Slight water and wind
erosion is evident. The vegetation is 95 percent shadscale, about
3 percent wolfberry, and 2 percent bud sagebrush. Total plant density
is about 5 percent. This soil is used for livestock grazing and
wildlife.
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AREA 5 - GMX
Profile #201
This soil is of the Aridisol Order.
Typifying Pedon: gravelly sandy loam.
A2 0-20 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) gravelly sandy loam, brown
(10YR 5/3) moist; strong thick platy structure;
hard, friable, nonsticky, nonplastic; many fine
and medium vesicular pores; violently effervescent,
moderately alkaline (pH 8.4).
Bl 20 - 46 cm -Pink (SYR 7/3) gravelly loam, reddish brown (SYR 5/3)
moist; moderate medium subangular blocky structure;
hard, friable, slightly sticky, slightly plastic;
violently effervescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.2).
Cl 46 - 91 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) gravelly sandy loam, brown
(10YR 4/3) moist; weak fine subangular blocky
structure; soft, friable, nonsticky, nonplastic;
violently effervescent, strongly alkaline (pH 8.6).
C2 91-152 cm -Very pale brown (10YR 7/3) gravelly loamy sand,
brown (10YR 4/3) moist; single grain; loose dry
and moist, nonsticky, nonplastic; violently effer-
vescent, strongly alkaline (pH 8.8).
The #201 soil occurs on level to nearly level, low terraces and old
alluvial fans with slope gradients of 1 to 2 percent. The soil is formed
in alluvium from limestone, basalt, quartzite, and rhyolite. The soil is
31
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well to somewhat excessively drained, with slow runoff, and rapid to
moderately rapid permeability (2.50 to 10.00 inches per hour). Slight
to moderate wind and water erosion is evident. The vegetation consists
of white bursage, creosotebush, shadscale saltbush, Nevada ephedra,
and Indian ricegrass. The total plant density is about 10 percent.
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AREA 5 - GMX
Profile #202
This soil is of the Entisol Order.
Typifying Pedon; cobbly sandy loam.
Al 0 - 15 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) cobbly sandy loam, brown
(10YR 5/3) moist; weak fine platy structure; soft,
friable, nonsticky, nonplastic; violently effer-
vescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.2).
Cl 15 - 46 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) gravelly sandy loam, brown
(10YR 5/3) moist; weak fine subangular blocky
structure; soft, friable, nonsticky, nonplastic;
violently effervescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.0).
C2 46 - 91 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) gravelly loamy sand, brown
(10YR 4/3) moist; single grain; loose dry and
moist, nonsticky, nonplastic; violently effervescent,
moderately alkaline (pH 8.4).
C3 91 - 152 cm -Very pale brown (10YR 7/3) gravelly loamy sand,
brown (10YR 4/3) moist; single grain, loose dry
and moist, nonsticky, nonplastic; violently effer-
vescent, strongly alkaline (pH 8.6).
The #202 soil is on smooth, level, or nearly level, alluvial fans
with slope gradients of 1 to 2 percent. Eroded area has shallow stream
channels and low wind hummocks around the brush. The soil is formed
in gravelly and cobbly alluvium from limestone, basalt, quartzite and
33
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rhyolite. The soil is excessively drained, with very slow runoff and
rapid to very rapid permeability (5.00 to over 10.00 inches per hour).
Moderate wind and water erosion is evident. The principal vegetation
is white bursage, creosotebush, shadscale saltbush, and Indian ricegrass.
The total plant density is about 5 percent.
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AREA 5 - GMX
Profile #203
This soil is of the Entisol Order.
Typifying Pedon: gravelly sandy loam.
Al 0-20 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) gravelly sandy loam, brown
(10YR 4/3) moist; weak fine platy structure; soft,
friable, nonsticky, nonplastic; violently effer-
vescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.0).
Cl 20 - 51 cm -Very pale brown (10YR 7/3) gravelly sandy loam,
brown (10YR 5/3) moist; weak fine subangular
blocky structure; soft, friable, nonsticky,
nonplastic; violently effervescent, moderately
alkaline (pH 8.4).
C2 51 - 152 cm -Very pale brown (10YR 7/3) gravelly loamy sandy,
brown (10YR 5/3) moist; single grain; loose dry
and moist, nonsticky, nonplastic; violently
effervescent, strongly alkaline (pH 8.6).
The #203 soil is on smooth, level to nearly level, alluvial fans
with slope gradients of 1 to 2 percent. Eroded area has shallow stream
channels and low wind hummocks around the brush. The soil is formed
in gravelly and cobbly alluvium from limestone, basalt, quartzite and
rhyolite. The soil is well to somewhat excessively drained, with slow
runoff, and moderately rapid to rapid permeability (2.50 to 10.00 inches
per hour). Slight to moderate wind and water erosion is evident. The
dominant vegetation is white bursage, creosotebush, shadscale saltbush,
and Nevada ephedra. The total plant density is about 10 percent.
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AREA 11 - PLUTONIUM VALLEY
Profile #301
This soil is of the Aridisol Order.
Typifying Pedon: stony clay loam.
A2 0 - 8 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) stony clay loam, brown (10YR 4/3)
moist, strong very coarse platy structure; hard,
friable; sticky, plastic; many fine and medium
vesicular pores; violently effervescent, strongly
alkaline (pH 8.6). Clear smooth boundary (4 to
8 inches thick.)
Bl 8-20 cm -Light reddish brown (5YR 6/3) loam, reddish brown
(5YR 5/4) moist; moderate medium subangular blocky
structure; hard, friable, slightly sticky, slightly
plastic; strongly effervescent, moderately alkaline
(pH 8.4).
Clcam 20 cm -Silica-lime hardpan.
The #301 soil is on gently sloping to moderately sloping high terraces.
The soil is formed in material weathered from tuff, basalt, and limestone.
Slopes range from 2 to 8 percent. The soil is well-drained to hardpan,
with medium runoff, and slow permeability (0.05 to 2.00 inches per hour).
Slight water and wind erosion is evident. The natural vegetation is
mainly Nevada ephedra, wolfberry, pale wolfberry, shockley goldenhead,
spiny menodora, winterfat, Indian ricegrass, bottlebrush squirreltail,
cattle saltbush, bud sagebrush, shadscale, pricklypear, and joshuatree
yucca. Total plant density is 10 percent. This soil supports good winter
grazing for livestock and wildlife.
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AREA 11 - PLUTONIUM VALLEY
Profile #302
This soil is of the Entisol Order.
Typifying Pedon: very gravelly sandy loam.
Cl 0-15 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) very gravelly sandy loam, dark
grayish brown (10YR 4/2) moist; moderate medium sub-
angular blocky structure; soft, friable, nonsticky,
nonplastic; violently effervescent, moderately
alkaline (pH 8.2).
C2 15 - 38 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) gravelly sandy loam, brown
(10YR 4/3) moist; moderate medium subangular blocky
structure; soft, friable, nonsticky, nonplastic;
violently effervescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.4).
C3 38 - 53 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) gravelly sandy loam, brown
(10YR 5/3) moist, weak fine subangular blocky
structure; soft, friable, nonsticky, nonplastic;
violently effervescent, strongly alkaline (pH 8.6).
C4 53 - 66+ cm -White (10YR 8/2) very gravelly sandy loam, brown
(10YR 5/3) moist; weak fine subangular blocky
structure; soft, friable, nonsticky, nonplastic;
violently effervescent, strongly alkaline (pH 8.8).
The #302 soil is on alluvial fans with the dominant slope gradient
of 4 to 8 percent. Some slope gradients are 4 to 12 percent. This soil
is formed in material weathered from tuff, basalt, and limestone.
The soil is excessively drained, with slow runoff, and rapid permeability
37
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(5.00 to 10.00 inches per hour). Slight water and wind erosion is
evident. The natural vegetation is predominantly wolfberry, fourwing
saltbush, winterfat, shockley goldenhead, spiny menodora, Indian
ricegrass, bottlebush squirrel tail, horsebrush, and joshuatree
yucca. The total plant density is 5 percent. This soil supports
good winter grazing for livestock and wildlife.
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AREA 11 - PLUTONIUM VALLEY
Profile #303
This soil is of the Aridisol Order.
Tyjn'fying Pedon: very stony loam.
Al 0 - 8 cm -Light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4) very stony loam,
dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) moist; weak fine
platy structure; soft, friable, nonsticky, non-
plastic; few fine, micro, and medium roots;
violently effervescent, moderately alkaline
(pH 8.0). Abrupt wavy boundary.
Cl 8-20 cm -Very pale brown (10YR 7/3) gravelly sandy loam,
brown (10YR 7/3) moist; weak fine subangular
blocky structure; soft, friable, nonsticky, non-
plastic; many fine, micro, and medium roots;
violently effervescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.2).
R 20+ cm -Tuff bedrock.
The #303 soil occurs on moderately sloping to steep sloping hillsides
with slope gradient of 8 to 30 percent. The soil is formed in alluvium
from tuffs, basalt, and limestone. The soil is well-drained to the
bedrock, with rapid runoff because of the slope, and moderate permeability
(0.80 to 2.50 inches per hour). Slight to moderate water erosion is
evident. The principal vegetation is blackbush, fourwing saltbush, shadscale,
Indian ricegrass, Nevada ephedra, and joshuatree yucca. The total plant
density is 5 percent. This soil supports good winter grazing for
livestock and wildlife.
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AREA 11 - PLUTONIUM VALLEY
Profile #304
This soil is of the Aridisol Order.
Typifying Pedon: very gravelly loam.
Cl 0-15 cm -Pale brown (10YR 6/3) very gravelly loam, dark
grayish brown (10YR 4/2) moist; weak fine platy
structure; soft, friable, slightly sticky,
slightly plastic; few fine and medium roots;
slightly effervescent, moderately alkaline
(pH 8.2). Clear smooth boundary (8 to 20 cm
thick).
C2 15 - 30 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) gravelly sandy loam, brown
(10YR 4/3) moist; weak fine subangular blocky
structure; soft, friable, nonsticky, nonplastic;
plentiful micro, fine, and medium roots; violently
effervescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.4). Clear
smooth boundary (10 to 20 cm thick).
C3 30 - 41 cm -Very pale brown (10YR 7/3) gravelly loam, brown
(10YR 4/3) moist; moderate medium subangular blocky
structure; soft, friable, slightly sticky, slightly
plastic; few fine and medium roots; violently effer-
vescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.4).
C4cam 41 cm -Silica-lime hardpan.
The #304 soil is on gently to moderately sloping alluvial fans. The
soil is formed in material weathered from tuff, basalt, and limestone.
40
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The #304 soil is on gentle to moderate sloping alluvial fans with slope
gradients of 4 to 8 percent. The soil is well-drained to the hardpan,
with medium runoff, and moderate permeability (0.80 to 2.50 inches per
hour). Slight wind and water erosion is evident. The natural vegetation
is mainly wolfberry, fourwing salthush, wtnterfat, Nevada ephedra, bud
sagebrush, Indian ricegrass, joshuatree yucca, and bottlebrush
squirreltail. The total plant density is 10 percent. This soil
supports good winter grazing for livestock and wildlife.
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AREA 11 - PLUTONIUM VALLEY
Profile #305
This soil is of the Aridisol Order.
Typifying Pedon: gravelly loam.
A2 0-13 cm -Very pale brown (10YR 7/3) gravelly loam, brown
(10YR 4/3) moist, strong coarse platy structure;
soft, friable, sticky, plastic; many fine and
medium vesicular pores; violently effervescent,
strongly alkaline (pH 8.8). Abrupt smooth
boundary (0.5 to 20 cm thick).
B2 13 - 31 cm -Light reddish brown (5YR 6/4) clay loam, reddish
brown (5YR 4/3) moist; strong coarse subangular
blocky structure; hard, friable, sticky, plastic;
many fine and medium tubular pores; slightly
effervescent, strongly alkaline (pH 8.6). Clear
smooth boundary (10 to 40 cm thick).
Cl 31 - 41 cm -Very pale brown (10YR 7/3) gravelly sandy loam,
brown (10YR 4/3) moist; moderate medium subangular
blocky structure; hard friable, nonsticky, non-
plastic; violently effervescent, strongly alkaline
(pH 8.6).
C2cam 41 cm -Silica-lime hardpan.
The #305 soil is on gently sloping alluvial fans. The soil is formed
in material weathered from tuff, basalt, and limestone. Slope gradients
range from 2 to 4 percent. The soil is moderately well-drained to the
42
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silica hardpan, with medium runoff, and moderate permeability (0.80 to
2.50 inches per hour). Slight to moderate wind erosion is evident.
The natural vegetation is mainly horsebrush, shockley goldenhead,
winterfat, spiny menodora, bud sagebrush, Nevada ephedra, fourwing saltbush,
shadscale3 wolfberry, bottlebrush squirreltail, and globemallow. The
total plant density is 20 percent. This soil supports good winter
grazing for livestock and wildlife.
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AREA 11 - PLUTONIUM VALLEY
Profile #306
This soil is of the Aridisol Order.
Typifying Pedon: gravelly sandy loam.
Cl 0-15 cm -Very pale brown (10YR 7/3) gravelly sandy loam, brown
(10YR 4/3) moist, weak fine subangular blocky
structure; soft, friable, nonsticky, nonplastic;
strongly effervescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.2).
C2 15 - 36 cm -Very pale brown (10YR 7/3) gravelly sandy loam, brown
(10YR 4/3) moist; weak fine subangular blocky
structure; soft, friable, nonsticky, nonplastic;
violently effervescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.4).
C3 36 - 61 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) cobbly and gravelly loamy
sand, brown (10YR 4/3) moist; single grain; loose dry
and moist, nonsticky, nonplastic; violently effer-
vescent, strongly alkaline (pH 8.6).
C4cam 61 cm -Silica-lime hardpan.
The #306 soil occurs on gently sloping alluvial fans and floodplains
with slope gradients of 2 to 4 percent. The soil is formed in alluvium
from tuff, basalt and limestone. The soil is well-drained to the hardpan,
with slow runoff, and rapid permeability (5.00 to 10.00 inches per hour).
Moderate wind and water erosion is evident. The principal vegetation is
horsebrush, rabbitbrush, wolfberry, winterfat, Nevada ephedra, fourwing
saltbush, bud sagebrush, Indian ricegrass, joshuatree yucca, spiny
44
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menodora, bottlebrush squirreltail, shockley goldenhead, coyote tobacco,
and buckwheat. The total plant density is 10 percent. This soil
supports good winter grazing for livestock and wildlife.
45
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AREA 11 - PLUTONIUM VALLEY
Profile #307
This soil is of the Entisol Order.
Typifying Pedon: gravelly loamy sand.
Cl 0-31 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) gravelly loamy sand, dark
grayish brown (10YR 4/2) moist; single grain;
loose dry and moist, nonsticky, nonplastic;
strongly effervescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.2).
C2 31 - 91 cm -Very pale brown (10YR 7/3) gravelly sand, brown
(10YR 4/3) moist; single grain; loose dry and
moist; nonsticky, nonplastic; violently effer-
vescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.4).
C3cam 91 cm -Silica-lime hardpan.
The #307 soil occurs on gently sloping alluvial fans, floodplains
and in drainage ways (washes). The slope gradients range from 2 to
4 percent. The soil is formed in alluvium from tuff, basalt, and
limestone. The soil is excessively drained to the hardpan, with slow
runoff, and rapid to very rapid permeability (5.00 to more than
10.00 inches per hour). Moderate water and slight wind erosion is
evident. The natural vegetation is mainly shock!ey goldenhead,
rabbitbrush, coyote tobacco, wolfberry, Indian ricegrass, spiny menodora,
and joshuatree yucca. The total plant density is less than 5 percent.
This soil supports spring and autumn grazing for livestock and wildlife.
46
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AREA 11 - PLUTONIUM VALLEY
Profile #308
This soil is of the Aridisol Order.
Typifying Pedon: gravelly loam.
A2 0 - 10 cm -Very pale brown (10YR 7/3) gravelly loam, brown
(10YR 4/3) moist; strong coarse platy structure;
soft, friable, sticky, plastic; many fine and
medium vesicular pores; violently effervescent,
strongly alkaline (pH 8.8). Abrupt smooth
boundary (5 to 20 cm thick).
B2 10 - 26 cm -Light reddish brown (SYR 6/4) clay loam, reddish
brown (SYR 4/3) moist; strong coarse subangular
blocky structure; hard, friable, sticky, plastic;
many fine and medium tubular pores; slightly
effervescent, strongly alkaline (pH 8.6). Clear
smooth boundary (10 to 40 cm thick).
Cl 26 - 38 cm -Very pale brown (10YR 7/3) gravelly sandy loam,
brown (10YR 4/3) moist; moderate medium subangular
blocky structure; hard, friable, nonsticky, non-
plastic; violently effervescent, strongly alkaline
(pH 8.6).
C2cam 38 cm -Silica-lime hardpan.
The #308 soil occurs on gentle sloping alluvial fans. The soil is
formed in material weathered from tuff, basalt, limestone. Slope
gradients range from 2 to 4 percent. The soil is moderately well-drained
47
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to the silica hardpan, with medium runoff, and moderate permeability
(0.80 to 2.50 inches per hour). Slight to moderate wind and water
erosion is evident. The natural vegetation is mainly horsebrush,
winterfat, spiny menodora, bud sagebrush, Nevada ephedra, fourwtng
saltbush, wolfberry, bottlebrush squirreltail, and globemallow. The
total plant density is 20 percent. This soil supports good grazing
in the spring and autumn for livestock and wildlife.
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AREA 13
Profile #401
This soil is of the Aridisol Order.
Typifying Pedon: sandy loam.
A2 0 - 15 cm -Very pale brown (10YR 7/3) dry, sandy loam, brown
(10YR 4/3) strong thick platy structure; soft,
friable, nonsticky, nonplastic; many fine and
medium vesicular pores; strongly effervescent,
moderately alkaline (pH 8.0).
B2 15 - 45 cm -Reddish brown (5YR 5/4) dry, clay loam, reddish
brown (5YR 4/4) moderate medium platy structure;
slightly hard, friable, sticky, plastic; violently
effervescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.4).
Cl 45 - 91 cm -Brown (10YR 4/3) loam, weak fine subangular blocky
structure; soft, friable, slightly sticky, slightly
plastic; violently effervescent, moderately alkaline;
(pH 8.4).
C2 91 - 152 cm -Brown (10YR 4/3) gravelly sandy loam, weak fine
subangular blocky structure; soft, friable, non-
sticky, nonplastic; slightly effervescent, moderately
alkaline (pH 8.2).
The #401 soil occurs on level, or nearly level, alluvial fans and
floodplains with slope gradients of 0 to 2 percent. The soil is formed
in alluvium from quartzite, rhyolite, basalt and limestone. The soil
is well-drained, with medium runoff, and moderate permeability
49
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(0.80 to 2.50 inches per hour). Slight to moderate wind and water erosion
is evident. The vegetation consists of cattle saltbush, winterfat,
bud sagebrush, Indian ricegrass, fourwing saltbush, and horsebrush.
The total plant density is about 10 percent. This soil supports good
winter grazing for livestock and wildlife.
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AREA 13
Profile #402
This soil is of the Aridisol Order.
Typifying Pedon: gravelly sandy loam.
A2 0 - 10 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) gravelly sandy loam; brown
(10YR 4/3) moist; strong coarse platy structure;
slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky, slightly
plastic; many fine and medium vesicular pores;
violently effervescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.0).
B2 10 - 30 cm -Reddish brown (SYR 5/4) clay loam, reddish brown
(SYR 4/4) moist; moderate medium subangular blocky
structure; slightly hard, friable, sticky, plastic;
strongly effervescent, mildly alkaline (pH 7.8).
Cl 30 - 61 cm -Pale brown (10YR 6/3) gravelly sandy loam, brown
(10YR 4/3) moist; weak fine subangular blocky
structure; soft, friable, nonsticky, nonplastic;
violently effervescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.2).
C2 61 - 152 cm -Pale brown (10YR 6/3) very gravelly sand, brown
(10YR 4/3) moist; single grain; loose dry and moist,
nonsticky, nonplastic; violently effervescent,
moderately alkaline (pH 8.4).
The #402 soil occurs on level, or nearly level, floodplains,
basins and alluvial fans. The slope gradients range from 0 to 2 percent.
The soil is formed by alluvium derived from quartzite, rhyolite, basalt,
and limestone. The soil is well-drained, with medium runoff, and moderate
51
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permeability (0.80 to 2.50 inches per hour). Slight to moderate wind
and water erosion is evident. The vegetation consists of cattle
saltbush, shockley goldenhead, bud sagebrush, fourwing saltbush,
shadscale, winterfat, and bottlebrush squirrel tail. The total plant
density is about 10 percent. This soil supports good winter range.
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AREA 13
Profile #403
This soil is of the Entisol Order.
Typifying Pedon: gravelly sandy loam.
Al 0 - 8 cm -Light gray (10YR 7/2) gravelly sandy loam, dark
grayish brown (10YR 4/2) moist; weak fine sub-
angular blocky structure; soft, friable, nonsticky,
nonplastic; slightly effervescent, moderately
alkaline (pH 8.0).
Cl 8-61 cm -Very pale brown (10YR 7/4) sandy loam, brown
(10YR 4/3) moist; weak fine subangular blocky
structure; soft, friable, nonsticky, nonplastic;
strongly effervescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.0).
C2 61 - 152 cm -Very pale brown (10YR 7/4) gravelly loamy sand,
brown (10YR 4/3) moist; single grain; loose dry
and moist; nonsticky, nonplastic; strongly
effervescent, moderately alkaline (pH 8.2).
The #403 soil is on smooth, level to nearly level, sloping alluvial
fans and floodplains with slope gradients of 0 to 2 percent. Eroded
area has very slight wind hummocks around the brush. The soil is formed
in gravelly loamy alluvium from quartzite, rhyolite, basalt and limestone.
The soil is excessively drained, with very slow runoff, and rapid
permeability (5.00 to 10.00 inches per hour). Slight wind erosion is
evident. The principal vegetation is fourwing saltbush, horsebrush,
and Indian ricegrass. The total plant density is about 5 percent. This
soil supports good winter grazing for livestock and wildlife.
53
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AREA 13
Profile #404
This soil is of the Aridisol Order.
The #404 soil profile is similar to #401 soil profile (Area 13)
except that the dominant vegetation is wolfberry. All other soil
profile characteristics are the same.
AREA 13
Profile #405
This soil is of the Aridisol Order.
The #405 soil profile is similar to #401 soil profile (Area 13)
with the following exceptions, (1) the surface soil in #405 soil is
a clay loam, (2) the dominant vegetation is mainly winterfat, and
(3) more severe wind and water erosion is evident. All other soil
profile characteristics are the same.
54
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IV. CAPABILITY GROUPS OF SOILS
.In the capability system all kinds of soils are grouped by three
levels: class, subclass, and unit. The class is designated by
Roman numerals I through VIII indicating progressively greater limitations
(5)
and narrower choices for practical use v '.
Class VII--Soils have very severe limitations that make them unsuited
to cultivation and restrict the use largely to grazing, woodland, or
wildlife.
Subclasses are soil groups within one class. The subclass is
designated by adding a small letter such as c, s, or w to the class
numeral. The letter c indicates the climate is too cold or too dry;
the letter s indicates shallow, droughty, or stony soil; and the letter
w indicates degree of wetness of the soil, varying in depth from shallow
to deep.
Units are soil groups within subclasses. The unit class is designated
by adding a number or a capital letter such as 4, 7, 8, K, or F to the
class numeral. The number 4 indicates low water holding capacity, number
7 indicates stoniness or rockiness, number 8 indicates depth limitation
(over hardpan or bedrock), K indicates rainfall insufficient for reseeding
perennial grass, and F indicates occasional overflow (standing water).
Examples of the soil groups used are as follows^ .
VII -4 Low water-holding capacity
VII -7 Stoniness or rockiness
VII -K Rainfall insufficient for reseeding perennial grass
C
VII -8 Depth limitation (over hardpan or bedrock)
VIII -F Occasional overflow (standing water)
W
55
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V. CAPABILITY UNITS
Capability Unit VII$-4 Dryland
This unit generally consists of moderately coarse textured soils
that have low to moderate available water-holding capacity and are
somewhat droughty. These soils occupy nearly level to strongly
sloping alluvial fans. They are more than 110 cm deep and are well
drained or somewhat excessively drained. Some of the soils have a
gravelly, very gravelly, or stony surface layer, and some areas are
covered with material that washed from higher lying soils during
high-intensity rainstorms. Runoff is slow or very slow. Permeability
generally is moderate or moderately rapid, but it ranges from slow to
rapid. Natural fertility is low to high. Water erosion is a hazard
on the stronger slopes and on the milder slopes that receive runoff
from higher soils. The risk of soil blowing is slight to severe.
Included in the unit are soils in which the surface layer is coarse
textured and the water-holding capacity is moderate or high.
This unit includes soil #302 a very gravelly loam, 4 to 8 percent
slopes; #306 a gravelly sandy loam, 2 to 4 percent slopes; #307 a
gravelly loamy sand, 2 to 4 percent slopes; #201 and #203 are a gravelly
sandy loam, 1 to 2 percent slopes; and #111 and #112 are a gravelly
sandy loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes at Double Track.
All the soils of this unit are in range, but their use for grazing
is limited because rainfall is low.
56
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Capability Unit VII..-7 Dryland
In this unit, soils are rocky to extremely rocky, very stony or
extremely stony, moderately coarse textured or medium textured that
are on gently sloping to extremely steep alluvial fans, foothills, and
mountains. The soils generally are very shallow to moderately deep
over bedrock or over a silica-lime cemented hardpan, and they are well
drained or somewhat excessively drained. In most places their
permeability is very slow, but it may range to moderate in soils over-
lying bedrock. The water-holding capacity is very low or low and the
hazard of erosion is slight to severe.
Included in the unit are soils #202 a cobbly sandy loam, 1 to
2 percent slopes; #301 a stony and gravelly clay loam, 2 to 8 percent
slopes; and #303 a very stony loam, 8 to 30 percent slopes.
The soils in this unit have sparse stands of desert plants that
provide limited grazing for livestock and habitat for upland wildlife.
Grazing is further limited by stones and rock outcrops. The soils are
unsuitable for cultivation.
Capability Unit VII -K
This unit consists of medium textured and moderately coarse textured
soils that are more than 153 cm deep and are well drained or moderately
well drained. These soils occupy nearly level or gently sloping alluvial
fans and floodplains in areas where rainfall is insufficient for seeding
perennial grass. Some of the soils are gravelly. Permeability is
moderate to moderately slow, and the water-holding capacity and natural
fertility are high. Runoff is slow or very slow. The hazard of erosion
is slight or moderate. Some areas are covered with material deposited
by concentrated runoff from higher lying soils.
57
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Included in the unit are soils #401 a sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent
slopes; #402 gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes; #403 gravelly
sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes; #404 sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent
slopes; #405 clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes in Area 13; and #101, #103,
#104, #105, #106, #107, #108, #109, and #110 in Tonopah Test Range.
The soils in this unit are suitable for limited grazing of livestock
and habitat for wildlife. If water were available for irrigation, the
soils would be well suited to cultivated crops.
Capability Unit VII$-8 Dryland
The soils in this unit generally are underlain by a layer which
is indurated with silica or lime to form a hardpan. The soils occupy
nearly level to strongly sloping areas on alluvial fans, and the
soils are well drained or somewhat excessively drained. Most of the
soils are shallow or very shallow and are moderately coarse textured
or medium textured. Some of them have gravel, cobblestones, or
stones on the surface or in the surface layer. Permeability is very
slow, the water holding capacity is very low, and the inherent
fertility is very low or low. Runoff is generally very slow to medium,
and the hazard of erosion is slight or moderate.
Soils included in the unit are soils #113, #304, #305, and #308
a gravelly loam, 2 to 4 percent slopes.
The soils of this unit support good stands of desert plants that
provide limited grazing for livestock and habitat for upland wildlife.
The soils are unsuitable for cultivation.
58
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Capability Unit VIII -F Dryland
w
This unit describes the soils of the playa, a land type that is
nearly level and slightly concave. Playa consists of fine-textured
poorly drained soil material, 152 cm in depth, subject to overflow,
and affected by salts and alkali. The playa can become a lake when
rainfall is abnormally heavy. As the water evaporates from this lake,
a burden of salts is deposited. Erosion on the playa is very slight.
Although a few salt and alkali tolerant plants grow along the
margin, playas are generally barren and not suitable as irrigated
cropland or as grazing land.
This unit includes soil #102 loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes at
Clean Slate #1.
59
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REFERENCES
1. Maxey, G. B. and C. H. Jameson, "Geology and Water Resources of
Las Vegas, Pahrump and Indian Springs Valleys, Clark and Nye
Counties, Nevada," State of Nevada, Office of State Engineer
Water Resources. Bulletin No. 5, pp. 121, illus. (1948).
2. "Soil Classification—A Comprehensive System 7th Approximation,"
Soil Survey Staff Soil Conservation Service, USDA (1970).
3. Munsell Soil Color Chart. Munsell Color Company, Inc., Baltimore,
MD.
4. "Soil Survey Manual," Agriculture Handbook No. 18, USDA (1951).
5. Langan, L. N., L. I. Larsen and C. J. George, "Soil Survey of Las
Vegas and Eldorado Valleys Area Nevada," USDA Soil Conservation
Service (1967).
6. Odum, E. P., "Organization at the Species Population Level,"
Fundamentals of Ecology, W. B. Saunders Co., pp. 149-224, (1966).
60
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Table I. Soil Legends and Capability Units for Clean Slate #1, #2, and #3 and Double Track
Soil Area
Clean Slate #T
Clean Slate #2
Clean Slate #3
Double Track
Soil No.
GZ Ground zero
Soil Legend
Capability Units
101 Gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes
102 Loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes
103 Gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes
104 Gravelly sandy loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes
105 Gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes
106 Sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes
107 Gravelly sandy loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes
108 Gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes
109 Sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes
110 Gravelly loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes
111 Gravelly sandy loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes
112 Gravelly sandy loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes
113 Gravelly loam, 2 to 4 percent slopes
VIIc-K
VIIIW-F
VII -K
c
VIIC-K
VIIC-K
VII -K
c
VII -K
c
VIIc-K
VII -K
\f
VIIc-K
VIIs-4
VIIs-4
VIIs-8
-------
Table II. Soil Legends and Capability Units for Area 5, GMX
Soil No. Soil Legend Capability Units
201 Gravelly sandy loam, 1 to 2 percent slopes VII -4
ro s
202 Cobbly sandy loam, 1 to 2 percent slopes VIIs~7
203 Gravelly sandy loam, 1 to 2 percent slopes VII -4
-------
Table III. Soil Legends and Capability Units for Area 11, Plutonium Valley
Soil No. Soil Legend Capability Units
301 Stony and gravelly clay loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes VII -7
302 Very gravelly sandy loam, 4 to 8 percent slopes VIIs~4
303 Very stony loam, 8 to 30 percent slopes VII -7
o> s
00
304 Very gravelly loam, 4 to 8 percent slopes VIIs~8
305 Gravelly loam, 2 to 4 percent slopes VIIs~8
306 Gravelly sandy loam, 2 to 4 percent slopes VIIs~^
307 Gravelly loamy sand, 2 to 4 percent slopes VIIs~^
308 Gravelly loam, 2 to 4 percent slopes VIIs~8
-------
Table IV. Soil Legends and Capability Units for Area 13
Soil No. Soil Legend Capability Units
401 Sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes VII -K
\tf
402 Gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes VIIc~K
** 403 Gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes VII -K
\f
404 Sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes VIIc~K
405 Clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes VII -K
\f
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Table V. List of Scientific and Common Names of the
Vegetation on the Survey Areas*
Scientific Name
Aoamptopappus shookleyi
Artemisia spinescens
Artemisia tridentata
Atriplex oanesoens
Atriplex confertifolia
Atriplex polyoarpa
Chrysotharrmus teretifolius
Coleogyne ramosissima
Ephedra nevadensis
Eriogonwn fasciculatum
Eurotia lanata
Franseria dumosa
Hilaria jamesii
Larrea divariaata
Lyaium andersonii
Lycium pallidum
Menodora spinescens
Niootiana attenuala
Opuntia basilaris
Oryzopsis hymenoides
Sitanion hystrix
Sphaeralcea emoryi
Common Name
Shockley goldenhead
Bud sagebrush
Big sagebrush
Fourwing saltbush
Shadscale
Cattle saltbush
Rabbitbrush
Blackbrush
Nevada ephedra
Buckwheat
Winterfat
White bursage
Gall eta grass
Creosotebush.
Wolfberry
Pale woIfberry
Spiny menodora
Coyote tobacco
Pricklypear
Indian ricegrass
Bottlebrush squirrel tail
Globemallow
65
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Table V. List of Scientific and Common Names of the
Vegetation on the Survey Areas* (Continued)
Scientific Name Common Name
Stipa speoioaa Desert needlegrass
Tetradymia glabrata Horsebrush
Tridens pulchellus Fluffgrass
Yucoa brevifolia Joshuatree yucca
* The common name only will be used in the text.
66
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Table VI. Summary of Dominant Factors of the Five Areas
Surface soil
Horizons
Capability Units
Surface structure
Erosion
(water & wind)
Range in pH
Water perme-
ability
(Inch/h)
Soils by index
number within
each area and
percentage
Slope
(percentage)
Dominant
vegetation
(species
Clean Slate
#1. #2, & #3
gravelly sandy loam
"2» °2' 3' 1
VIII -K, VIII-F
c w
platy
moderate wind,
slight water
7.0 to 8.8
moderate
0.80 to 2.50
#101 through
#110 (soils
~ same %)
level
0 to 2
fourwing saltbush
Double Track
gravelly sandy loam
CT C2
VII -4, VII -8
S o
subangular blocky
slight water
8.2 to 9.0
rapid
5.00 to 10.00
#112 - 40
#113 - 40
#111 - 20
gently sloping
0 to 4
shadescale
Area 5
gravelly sandy loam
A r r
n1 > ^i » ^p
VIIs-4, VIIs-7
platy
slight to moderate
wind and water
8.0 to 8.8
rapid
2.5 to 10.00
#201 - 40
#203 - 40
#202 - 20
level
0 to 2
white bursage
Area 11
gravelly loam
A2, B2, C]s C2cam
VII -4, VII -7, VII -8
o o o
platy
slight wind
8.0 to 8.8
moderate
0.80 to 2.50
#308 - 25 #301
#305 - 25 #302
#304 - 25 #303 25
#306
#307
level to steep hilly
2 to 30
wolf berry
Area 13
gravelly sandy loam
2' 2 ' 1 ' 2
VIIc-K
platy
slight to moderate
wind and water
7.8 to 8.4
moderate
0.80 to 2.50
#403 - 25 #401 - 20
#404 - 25 #405 - 5
#402 - 25
level
0 to 2
fourwing saltbush
-------
APPENDICES
Paqe
APPENDIX I. GLOSSARY 69
APPENDIX II. TEST RANGE COMPLEX SOIL SURVEY 77
68
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APPENDIX I. GLOSSARY
Alluvial fan. A fan-shaped deposit of sand, gravel, and fine material
dropped by a stream where its gradient lessens abruptly.
Alluvium. Fine material, such as sand, silt, or clay, that has been
deposited on land by streams.
Calcareous soil. A soil containing enough calcium carbonate (often
with magnesium carbonate) to effervesce (fizz) visibly when treated
with cold dilute hydrochloric acid.
Complex soil. A mapping unit consisting of different kinds of soils
that occur in such small individual areas or in such an intricate
pattern that they cannot be shown separately on a publishable soil
map.
Consistence, soil. The feel of the soil and the ease with which a
lump can be crushed by the fingers. Terms commonly used to describe
consistence are:
Loose. Noncoherent; will not hold together in a mass.
Friable. When moist, crushed easily under gentle to moderate
pressure between thumb and forefinger and can be pressed together
into a lump.
Firm. When moist, crushed under moderate pressure between thumb
and forefinger, but resistance is distinctly noticeable.
Plastic. When wet, readily deformed by moderate pressure but can be
pressed into a lump; will form a wire when rolled between the
thumb and forefinger.
69
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Sticky. When wet, adheres to other material; tends to stretch
somewhat and pull apart, rather than pull free from other
material.
Hard. When dry, moderately resistant to pressure; can be
broken with difficulty between thumb and forefinger.
Cemented. Hard and brittle; little affected by moistening.
'Erosion. The wearing away of land surface by wind, running water, and
other geological agents.
1. Slight wind erosion: the wind has removed from the soil a suf-
ficient amount of the A horizon that ordinary tillage will
bring up and mix the B horizon.
2. Moderate wind erosion: the wind has removed all of the
A horizon and a part of the B or other lower lying horizon.
3. Slight water erosion: the soil has a few rills or places with
thin A horizons that give evidence of accelerated erosion,
but not to an extent to alter greatly the thickness and
character of the A horizon.
4. Moderate water erosion: the soil has been eroded to the extent
that ordinary tillage implements reach through the remaining
A horizon, or well below the depth of the original plowed
layer in soils with thin A horizons.
Hardpan. A hardened or cemented soil horizon, or layer. The soil
material may be sandy or clayey, and it may be cemented by iron
oxide, silica, calcium carbonate, or other substances.
Horizon, soil. A layer of soil, approximately parallel to the surface
that has distinct characteristics produced by soil-forming processes.
The relative position of the several soil horizons in a typical soil
profile, and their nomenclature, are as follows:
70
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AO Organic debris, partly decomposed or matted.
A, A dark-colored horizon having a fairly high content of organic
matter mixed with mineral matter.
Ap A light-colored horizon, often representing the zone of maximum
leaching where podzolized; absent in wet, dark-colored soil.
A3 Transitional to B horizon but more like A than B; sometimes absent.
B, Transitional to B horizon but more like B than A; sometimes absent.
Bp A usually darker colored horizon, which often represents the zone
of maximum illuviation where podzolized.
B3 Transitional to C horizon.
The A horizons make up a zone of eluviation, or leached zones. The
B horizons make up a zone of illuviation, in which clay and other
materials have accumulated. The A and B horizons, taken together,
are called the sol urn, or true soil.
Munsell notation. A system for designating color by degrees of the three
simple variables—hue, value, and chroma. For example, a notation of
10YR 6/4 is a color with a hue of 10YR, value of 6 and a chroma of 4.
Natural drainage. Refers to moisture conditions that existed during the
development of the soil, as opposed to altered drainage, which is
commonly the result of artificial drainage or irrigation but may be
caused by the sudden deepening of channels or the blocking of
drainage outlets. Several different classes of natural drainage are:
Excessively drained soils are commonly very porous and rapidly
permeable and have a low water-holding capacity.
Somewhat excessively drained soils are also very permeable and are
free from mottling throughout their profile.
71
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Well-drained soils are nearly free from mottling and are commonly
of intermediate texture.
Moderately well-drained soils commonly have a slow permeable
layer in or immediately beneath the solum. They have uniform
color in the A and upper B horizons and have mottling in the
lower B and the C horizons.
Imperfectly or somewhat poorly drained soils are wet for significant
periods but not all the time, and in podzolic soils commonly have
mottllngs below 6 to 16 inches, in the lower A horizon and in the
B and C horizons.
Poorly drained soils are wet for long periods and are light gray
and generally mottled from the surface downward, although
mottling may be absent or nearly so in some soils.
Very poorly drained soils are wet nearly all the time. They have
a dark-gray or black surface layer and are gray or light gray,
with or without mottling, in the deeper parts of the profile.
Parent material (soil). The horizon of weathered rock or partly
weathered soil material from which soil has formed; horizon C
in the soil profile.
Particle size of soils:
Gravel = greater than 2.0 mm
Very coarse sand = 2.0 to 1.0 mm
Coarse sand = 1.0 to 0.5 mm
Medium sand = 0.5 to 0.25 mm
Fine sand = 0.25 to 0.10 mm
Very fine sand = 0.10 to 0.05 mm
72
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Silt = 0.05 to 0.002 mm
Clay = <0.002 mm
Red. An individual natural soil aggregate, such as a crumb, a prism
or a block in contrast to a clod.
Pedon. A pedon is the smallest volume that can be called "a soil."
Plant density. Plant density values essentially describe that portion
of the study area canopied by vegetation. These values, as described
here, are somewhat influenced by the judgement of the investigator.
However, the line-of-sight transects utilized in this study were
randomly checked with actual measurements and were observed to be in
close agreement.
Reaction, soil. The degree of acidity or alkalinity of a soil
expressed in pH values. A soil that tests to pH 7.0 is precisely
neutral in reaction, because it is neither acid nor alkaline.
In words the degrees of acidity or alkalinity are expressed thus:
pH PH
Extremely acid Below 4.5 Neutral 6.6 to 7.3
Very strongly acid 4.5 to 5.0 Mildly alkaline 7.4 to 7.8
Strongly acid 5.1 to 5.5 Moderately alkaline 7.9 to 8.4
Medium acid 5.6 to 6.0 Strongly alkaline 8.5 to 9.0
Slightly acid 6.1 to 6.5 Very strongly alkaline above pH 9
Rhyolite. A type of volcanic rock containing much silica and resem-
bling granite in composition but having a texture that shows flow.
Slope. Slope refers to the incline of the surface of a soil area.
The area is neither flat nor level but is rising or falling land.
Soil survey. A systematic examination, description, classification,
arid mapping of soils in an area. Soil surveys are classified
73
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accordingly to intensity of field examination as exploratory
reconnaissance, or detailed.
Soil textures:
1. Sands. Soil material that contains 85 percent or more of sand;
percentage of silt, plus 1 1/2 times the percentage of clay,
shall not exceed 15.
Coarse sand: 25 percent or more very coarse and coarse sand,
and less than 50 percent any other one grade of sand.
Sand: 25 percent or more very coarse, coarse, and medium sand,
and less than 50 percent fine or very fine sand.
Fine sand: 50 percent or more fine sand (or) less than 25 percent
very coarse, coarse, and medium sand and less than 50 percent
very fine sand.
Very fine sand: 50 percent or more very fine sand.
2. Loamy sands. Soil material that contains at the upper limit
85 to 90 percent sand, and the percentage of silt plus 1 1/2 times
the percentage of clay is not less than 15; at the lower limit it
contains not less than 70 to 85 percent sand, and the percentage
of silt plus twice the percentage of clay does not exceed 30.
Loamy coarse sand: 25 percent or more very coarse and coarse
sand, and less than 50 percent any other one grade of sand.
Loamy sand: 25 percent or more very coarse, coarse, and medium
sand, and less than 50 percent fine or very fine sand.
Loamy fine sand: 50 percent or more fine sand (or) less than
25 percent very coarse, coarse, and medium sand and less than
50 percent very fine sand.
74
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Loamy very fine sand: 50 percent or more very fine sand.
3. Sandy loams. Soil material that contains either 20 percent clay
or less, and the percentage of silt plus twice the percentage
of clay exceeds 30, and 52 percent or more sand; or less than
7 percent clay, less than 50 percent silt, and between 43 percent
and 52 percent sand.
Coarse sandy loam: 25 percent or more very coarse and coarse
sand and less than 50 percent any other one grade of sand.
Sandy loam: 30 percent or more very coarse, coarse, and medium
sand, but less than 25 percent very coarse sand, and less than
30 percent very fine or fine sand.
Fine sandy loam: 30 percent or more fine sand and less than
30 percent very fine sand (or) between 15 and 30 percent very
icoarse, coarse, and medium sand.
Very fine sandy loam: 30 percent or more very fine sand (or)
more than 40 percent fine and very fine sand, at least half of
which is very fine sand and less than 15 percent very coarse
coarse, and medium sand.
4. Loam. Soil material that contains 7 to 27 percent clay, 28 to
50 percent silt, and less than 52 percent sand.
5. Silt loam. Soil material that contains 50 percent or more silt
and 12 to 27 percent clay (or) 50 to 80 percent silt and less
than 12 percent clay.
6. Silt. Soil material that contains 80 percent or more silt and
less than 12 percent clay.
7. Sandy clay loam. Soil material that contains 20 to 35 percent
clay, less than 28 percent silt, and 45 percent or more sand.
75
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8. Clay loam. Soil material that contains 27 to 40 percent clay
and 20 to 45 percent sand.
9. Silty clay loam: Soil material that contains 27 to 40 percent
clay and less than 20 percent sand.
10. Sandy clay: Soil material that contains 35 percent or more clay
and 45 percent or more sand.
11. Silty clay: Soil material that contains 40 percent or more clay
and 40 percent or more silt.
12. Clay: Soil material that contains 40 percent or more clay, less
than 45 percent sand, and less than 40 percent silt.
Stones. Rock fragments greater than 10 inches in diameter if rounded,
and greater than 15 inches along the longer axis if flat.
Structure, soil. The arrangement of primary soil particles into compound
particles or clusters that are separate from adjoining aggregates and
have properties unlike those of an equal mass of unaggregated primary
soil particles. The principal forms of soil structure are platy,
(laminated), prismatic, (vertical axis of aggregates longer than
horizontal), columnar, (prisms with rounded tops), block.y, (angular
or subangular), and granular. Structureless soils are (1) single
grain (each grain by itself as in dune sand) or (2) massive (the
particles adhering together without any regular cleavage, as in many
claypans and hardpans).
Tuff. Porous rock, usually stratified, formed by consolidation of
volcanic ashes, dust, etc.
Value (color). One of three variables of color. Value increases as the
relative intensity of reflected light increases. See Munsell notation* ,
76
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APPENDIX II. TEST RANGE COMPLEX SOIL SURVEY
77
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DISTRIBUTION
1-20 National Environmental Research Center, Las Vegas, NV
21-23 Maj. Gen. E. Graves, Asst. Gen. Mgr. for Military Application, AEC/HQ,
Washington, DC
24 G. C. Facer, Div. of Military Application, AEC/HQ, Washington, DC
25 R. Hamburger, Div. of Applied Technology, AEC/HQ, Washington, DC
26 J. L. Liverman, Biomedical & Environmental Research, AEC/HQ,
Washington, DC
27 J. Swinebroad, Biomedical & Environmental Research, AEC/HQ, Washington,
DC
28 J. S. Kirby-Smith, Biomedical & Environmental Research, AEC/HQ,
Washington, DC
29 N. F. Barr, Biomedical & Environmental Research, AEC/HQ, Washington, DC
30 C. L. Osterberg, Biomedical & Environmental Research, AEC/HQ,
Washington, DC
31 R. J. Engelman, Biomedical & Environmental Research, AEC/HQ, Washington,
DC
32 R. Franklin, Biomedical & Environmental Research, AEC/HQ, Washington, DC
33 R. D. Maxwell, Biomedical & Environmental Research, AEC/HQ, Washington,
DC
34 W. S. Osburn, Jr., Biomedical & Environmental Research, AEC/HQ,
Washington, DC
35 W. W. Schroebel, Biomedical & Environmental Research, AEC/HQ,
Washington, DC
36 J. A. Harris, Office of Information Services, AEC/HQ, Washington, DC
37 M. B. Biles, Div. of Operational Safety, AEC/HQ, Washington, DC
38 L. J. Deal, Div. of Operational Safety, AEC/HQ, Washington, DC
39 T. F. McCraw, Div. of Operational Safety, AEC/HQ, Washington, DC
40 J. J. Davis, Regulatory Standards, AEC/HQ, Washington, DC
41 G. Hamada, Regulatory Standards, AEC/HQ, Washington, DC
42 F. K. Pittman, Waste Management & Transportation, AEC/HQ, Washington, DC
43 I. Hoffman, Waste Management & Transportation, AEC/HQ, Washington, DC
44 W. B. Johnston, AEC Albuquerque Operations Office, Albuquerque, NM
45 J. F. Burke, AEC Albuquerque Operations Office, Albuquerque, NM
46 J. H. Harley, AEC Health & Safety Laboratory, New York, NY
47 C. W. Sill, AEC Idaho Operations Office, Idaho Falls, ID
48 Manager, AEC Rocky Flats Area Office, Golden, CO
49 Chief, NOB/DNA, AEC Nevada Operations Office, Las Vegas, NV
50 N. C. Kennedy, NOAA/ARL, Las Vegas, NV
51 W. S. Twenhofel, U. S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO
52 J. L. Olsen, LLL, Livermore, CA
53 L. S. Germain, LLL, Livermore, CA
54 P. L. Phelps, LLL, Livermore, CA
55 W. E. Nervik, LLL, Livermore, CA
56 L. R. Anspaugh, LLL, Livermore, CA
57 M. L. Mendelsohn, LLL, Livermore, CA
58 C. R. Richmond, LASL, Los Alamos, NM
59 J. W. Healy, LASL, Los Alamos, NM
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60 E. B. Fowler, LASL, Los Alamos, NM
61 J. H. McQueen, LASL, Los Alamos, NM
62 L. J. Johnson, LASL, Los Alamos, NM
63 M. L. Merritt, 1150, Sandia Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM
64 R. E. Luna, 5644, Sandia Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM
65 E. M. Romney, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
66 A. Wallace, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
67 F. W. Whicker, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO
68 W. E. Niles, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV
69 W. G. Bradley, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV
70 P. T. Tueller, University of Nevada, Reno, NV
71 P. R. Fenske, Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV
72 G. B. Maxey, Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV
73 J. N. Stannard, Dept. of Radiation Biology & Biophysics, University
of Rochester, Rochester, NY
74 L. K. Bustad, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
75 V. Schultz, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
76 V. Q. Hale, Battelle Columbus Laboratories, Las Vegas, NV
77 W. E. Martin, Battelle Columbus Laboratories, Columbus, OH
78 R. S. Davidson, Battelle Columbus Laboratories, Columbus, OH
79 W. J. Bair, Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, WA
80 R. C. Thompson, Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, WA
81 L. L. Eberhardt, Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, WA
82 R. 0. Bilbert, Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, WA
83 J. F. Willging, Dow Chemical Company, Golden, CO
84 J. R. Seed, Dow Chemical Company, Golden, CO
85 W. A. Rhoads, EG&G, Santa Barbara, CA
86 J. F. Doyle, EG&G, Las Vegas, NV
87 0. G. Raabe, Lovelace Foundation, Albuquerque, NM
88 T. Tamura, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN
89 C. Oen, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Ecological Sciences Information
Center (Pu Data Base Group), Oak Ridge, TN
90 A. E. Bicker, REECo, Mercury, NV
91 I. Aoki, REECo, Mercury, NV
92 D. N. Brady, REECo, Mercury, NV
93 D. Wireman, REECo, Mercury, NV
94 M. E. Gates, Manager/C. E. Williams, Deputy Manager, NV
95 R. H. Thalgott, Asst. Mgr. for Safety, Security & Environment, NV
96 Roger Ray, Assistant Manager for Operations, NV
97 R. W. Newman, Deputy Asst. Mgr. for Operations, NV
98 P. J. Mudra, Dir., Operations Support Div., NV
99 B. W. Church, Radiation Branch, Operations Support Div., NV
100 E. M. Douthett, Dir., Environmental Effects Div., NV
101-105 P. B. Dunaway, Asst. for Bioenvironmental Sciences., Environmental
Effects Div., NV
106 M. G. White, Environmental Effects Div., NV
107-111 E. D. Campbell, Chief, Bioenvironmental Branch, Environmental Effects
Div., NV
112 H. J. Kayuha, Environmental Effects, Div., NV
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113 D. G. Jackson, Dir., Office of Information Services, NV
114-115 Technical Library, NV/AEC
116 S. M. Greenfield, Asst. Administrator for Research. & Development,
EPA, Washington, DC
117 W. D. Rowe, Deputy Asst. Administrator for Radiation Programs, EPA,
Washington, DC
118 W. A. Mills, Dir., Div. of Criteria & Standards, ORP, EPA, Washington,
DC
119-120 C. L. Weaver, Dir., Field Operations Div., ORP, EPA, Washington, DC
121 E. D. Harward, Act. Dir., Div. of Technology Assessment, ORP, EPA,
Washington, DC
122 G. Everett, Dir., Office of Technical Analysis, EPA, Washington, DC
123 Library, EPA, Washington, DC
124 B. Kahn, Chief, Radiochemistry & Nuclear Engineering, NERC, EPA,
Cincinnati, OH
125 K. L. Feldmann, Managing Editor, Radiation Data & Reports, ORP, EPA,
Washington, DC
126 J. F. Allen, ORM, EPA, Arlington, VA
127 Regional Admin., Region IX, EPA, San Francisco, CA
128 Regional Radiation Representative, Region IX, EPA, San Francisco, CA
129 Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility, EPA, Montgomery, AL
130 R. C. Pendleton, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
131 J. M. Ward, President, Desert Research Institute, University of
Nevada, Reno, NV
132-133 Technical Information Center, USAEC, Oak Ridge, TN (for public
availability)
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